Verdasco marches on in Brisbane

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:11

The Spaniard rarely looked troubled by the home favourite and cruised to a 6-4 6-2 triumph.

Meanwhile, former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis went down in three sets to Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen.

Cypriot Baghdatis, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2006 final at Melbourne Park, took the opening set but eventually slumped to a 5-7 6-1 6-4 defeat.

Eighth seed Radek Stepanek advanced with a 6-2 6-2 defeat of Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn, but sixth-seeded American Mardy Fish lost 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7/4) to Austrian Jurgen Melzer.

Novak Djokovic is the top seed and starts his campaign against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia on Tuesday.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here

By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.